Making Righteous Choices by Elder Paul V. Johnson

Recently, I was a little burned out on books (having just finished a couple 900 pagers) so I picked up some LDS magazines that I haven't had the time to read yet. I found this article in the September New Era (a magazine directed toward the youth of the church). You can find the article at LDS.org, gospel library, magazines, New Era, and click on the Sep issue. The title of the article is "Making Righteous Choices" and it's by Elder Paul V. Johnson of the 70.
In part of the article, Elder Johnson described how years ago he and his wife were in the market for a large van for their bigger-than-minivan-sized family. He found a van for sale and REALLY wanted to buy it. He even took it home to see if it would fit in their garage. He knew after looking at garage vs. the van, it would NOT fit. However, he decided that he would measure to be sure. Yep, still won't fit. So now, he had his wife come out and watch as he was going to slowly inch his way in to the garage to prove that it would fit. Luckily, good sense hit, and he decided it was not a good idea. He had two very reliable sources that the van was too big, but he wanted to test it anyway, risking damage to the van and garage.
Many times, we have been given proof, or means to test proof, and yet we reject the outcome at our own peril. We have many wise and caring people (family, good friends, church leaders, the prophet) around us to turn to for answers, we have scriptures, and guidelines that are there to help IF we pay attention. This will help us avoid crashing into the garage, so to speak. Good thought.

Socialism in the 60's

In 1964, the LDS church was discussing accepting $2 million from the government for help constructing a hospital. The leaders (the first presidency and the quorum of the 12 apostles) felt strongly not to accept the money due to their being subjected to "undue federal regulation" that would likely come with the funds. Of this, Spencer W. Kimball (then an apostle and later Church President) wrote:

"With numerous others, I am greatly disturbed at the
rapid move of our government to socialism and what seems to be an approach
toward dictatorship; with a controlled Supreme Court, the administration
continues to impose more and more demands upon the people . . . Taxes are
becoming back-breaking; expenditures and waste are alarming. The Church
must remain independent and furnish its own funds for all its own adventures and
projects. The government seems too anxious to give, give, give to the
poor, to the aged, to the schools, to everyone, and blinded people feel they are
getting something, whereas they pay it to the government so that the government
can after great overhead expense return a part of it to the people. And
every time a gift returns to the people -- a so-called gift -- it comes with
fetters binding and tying and enslaving. For every block of funds given to
the people, they lose a bigger block of liberty."

Sound familiar, anyone?? This quote just jumped out of the book to me. In the 60's, socialism was easily recognized, easily understood. As to our current administration, I will just say that the more freedoms that are taken away, the more enslaved the populous. The more of my money "you" take from me to give to my neighbor (who may or may not need it), the less opportunity "you" give to me to give it freely and receive blessing from God. I don't believe that we receive blessing for paying our 40% taxes when there is a punishment attached for disobedience. However, I know the Lord blesses me when I freely give my time, money and love to those around me.

Education for Citizenship

"Today millions of children are taught that each life belongs not to
himself or to his God, but to the state, and the advocates of this false theory
are energetic in seeing to it that every child under their domination is
thoroughly indoctrinated with it.
Communism is antagonistic to the American way of life. Its avowed
purpose it to destroy belief in God and free enterprise. In education for
citizenship, therefore, we should see to it that every child in America is
taught the superiority of our way of life, of our Constitution, and sacredness
of the freedom of the individual. Such definite instruction is not in
violation of . . . the federal constitution.
Teach that free enterprise is the right to open a gas station or a
grocery store, or to buy a farm if you want to be your own boss, or to change
your job if you do not like the man for whom you work. Under
communism you work where you are told, and you live and die bossed by hardfisted
bureaucrats who tell you every move you must make. Free enterprise is the
right to lock your door at night. In communist countries the dread secret
police can break it down any time they like." David O. McKay

There are some in high places today who believe words like "free enterprise, God, and American way of life" are bad. We should be ashamed of our country, our founding fathers (who held Providence as their standard), our Pledge of Allegiance, our very way of life, according to them. I believe God gave us this country to live and worship as we choose. I pray that we, as a country, can turn to God to give us inspiration and hope in these troubled times. And may we teach our children and young adults the truths about communism, oppression, and socialism in contrast with our beloved republican democracy!

Self-denial, Self-mastery

One of President David O. McKay's "guiding principles on life's pathways" is one that leads to the conclusion that "the realization of higher life is the power of self-denial and the resultant self-mastery."

"There can be no fulness of life where there is slavery, and a man who is
subject to his appetite and passions is the most abject slave. He who can
rule his passions is greater than a king."

OK, I am on the treadmill trying to shed my "excess" and here is this thought. It hits me very clearly that I am doing the right thing. I belong to the Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints (Mormons, LDS). In the church, we have what we call the Word of Wisdom, which outlines healthy living and promises blessings if followed. We don't smoke, drink alcohol, coffee, tea, do drugs, or anything in excess, and we are good stuards of our bodies. I do just great at everything but the last. Hence the treadmill. :)

Life is a Garden

To be honest, this was one I read during yesterday's walk, however the image stuck in my mind so well, I wanted to write it down. From Treasures of Life by Pres. David O. McKay

"Everyone must work out his own salvation. Life is a garden in which every
person gathers the flowers and fruits from the seed he plants. If he
plants weeds, weeds he will harvest. If he plants flowers and useful
grains, beautiful flowers and rich harvest will reward him. An abundant
harvest is the result only of painstaking, intelligent cultivation."

The law of harvest is a simple, yet profound truth. If I do good works and follow the commandments of God, he will bless me. If I live an unrighteous life, I may have earthly happiness, but I will never know true joy. It is the day by day conscious decisions that I make that will bring me and my family true joy. And "men ARE that they might have joy." 2 Nephi 2:25, Book of Mormon

Faith in Christ

"The responsibility of establishing peace in the world rests not alone upon a union of nations; it rests upon every individual, upon every home, upon every hamlet and city. The source of happiness is within one's soul; so springs faith in Jesus Christ as our Lord and Savior.
'First, then, let each individual admit into his own heart the true spirit of Christianity. Then let it radiate throughout his home. A thousand such homes would make a truly Christian city, and a thousand such cities, a truly Christian nation." Pres. David O. McKay (Faith in Christ, the World's Greatest Need)

Why blog it?

For a mother of five youngsters, time and quiet are almost nonexistent. As I started my routine several months ago of walking on the treadmill for about an hour a day, usually at 5 a.m., I found myself in my head a lot. Almost to the point of being uncomfortable.
I started to read while walking, you know, keep my brain busy. I have read through a few series, adventure, and historical books. That worked for a while. Well, I asked my mother for a few suggestions and she came up with several religious books. I found that there was much good in these books. They strengthened my testimony of Jesus Christ as my Savior and of my own personal worth as a daughter of God.
So, long story short, I wanted to record these "pearls" and typing is easier than writing, not to mention spell-check. Hopefully, every day after my walk, I want to save what I have learned from these wonderful and inspired teachers. Motivation to read and motivation to walk. Let's see how it goes . . .